Book Review Marathon #7: Rebel Mind

    And we've made it! This is our last stop. We've made good time in this marathon, and thank you for running it with me! This is the final book, book 6, Rebel Mind.

Sensitive content: some mild language such as "heck", "darn", and "idiot", some intense scenes, some violence

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4 stars

   Last book released. And what an ending this book has! Honestly, I wasn't sure what to thing for a bit there, but as always, something unexpected happens that changes the course of the story. These books have a penchant for that, don't they? 

   Okay, first of all, I want to note that this book is definitely the most intense of all of them. It also has quite a bit more psychological stuff in it than the other ones do. Example: it deals with tech trying to reprogram a person's brain. So, it's a bit more intense than some people prefer. I thought I'd note that up front. This book isn't necessarily for everybody.

   While it is more psychological than I usually read, I personally found it interesting. Lee's a whole lot smarter than the villains give him credit for. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes they make is underestimating Simon Lee. He wasn't in the top ten on the FBI list for nothing! 

   This book drew most (or a lot, at least) of the plot points together. And it has my favorite character in it, so that's a plus. (For everyone who has read it and knows what in the world I'm talking about, that character, is KY.)

Book Review Marathon #6: Not Enough

    This is book 5.5, and it comes between Winnie Winfield and Rebel Mind.

 

Sensitive content: a use of the words "stupid" and "idiot"

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4.5 star

   This book . . . really hit me. I unashamedly cried at it. It's heartbreaking, honestly. But so good! It gives a lot of context to the later books and why characters are the way they are. I definitely plan on rereading it and re-crying at it in the future. I would say it's my favorite book of the series.

Book Review Marathon #5: Winnie Winfield

    This is book 5 in the series. 

Sensitive content: some mild language like "heck" and "stupid", some intense scenes, some violence

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4 stars

   This book has a bunch of turning points in it. It kept me figuratively on the edge of my seat. Lee is knee-deep in precarious situations, such as having to protect the people around him while working to take down terrorists and villains who would like nothing better than to destroy the United States. 

   This book has a bit more of Lee's new-found faith in Christ, which I really appreciated, and it also might introduce one of my favorite characters into the storyline. . . .

Book Review Marathon #4: Most Wanted

   This is book 4.5 in the series . . . it comes between Ghost Hunter and Winnie Winfield.      

Sensitive content: some mildly intense scenes

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4.5 stars

   This is a go-between book that you must not read until you've read Ghost Hunter all the way through. If you try to read it as a stand-alone, you will find yourself confused, perhaps disappointed, and informed of a plot point that finds its solidified appearance in the book before. This short story links directly to both Ghost Hunter and Phantom Thief, so don't read it out of order. 

   I actually really enjoyed this one . . . I loved how it showed Winfield's faith in God and his caring for other people. I know it's short, but it's honestly one of my favorite books of the series.

Book Review Marathon #3: Ghost Hunter

       On to the third book in the series!

Sensitive content: some mild language like "idiotic", some intense scenes, some violence, some death

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4 stars

   Okay, this one kind of kick-starts the chain of events that lasts into Rebel Mind, which is the last book published in the series (at least, so far). Pieces of Lee's past kind of start falling into place, and everything sort of starts connecting together. Specters from the past show up, some people die, and a few serious injuries take place. So . . . it's probably one of the more intense books. And it's also pretty vital to the storyline. So, like I said at the beginning of the marathon, it's best to read these books in order . . . otherwise, you'll miss important plot points.

   Okay . . . if I made a list of the top ten characters that absolutely grate on my nerves, Lever would be on it. He just cannot leave people alone! 

   This one is a bit more sad. *Certain* characters die, and while I didn't particularly like one of them, I wouldn't wish that on her. The other two, though . . . ! That should never have happened!

Book Review Marathon #2: Murphy Lawson

    Next stop, coming up. This one is especially interesting! It's book #3 of the AKA Simon Lee series, Murphy Lawson! Read my review for the book before, Guardian Eagle, here.

Sensitive content: some mild language like "heck", mentions of drugs and terrorism, some intense scenes, some violence

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4 star

   In this one, Lee finds himself thrust into an unfamiliar and unwelcome environment––high school! But, like most situations he's thrown into, he can handle it. After, what could go wrong in a public school, right? 

   This one is a bit more intense than the first two. I think this one is where the storyline really starts picking up speed. It starts getting deeper into Winfield's past . . . and Lee's. On that note, I'd say people who don't prefer books that are a bit more intense probably wouldn't like this one. It deals with taking down terrorist groups and stuff like that. It also mentions drugs and alcohol consumption, but they are portrayed in a bad light and not encouraged. I thought I might note that.

   Overall, though, it was really interesting, and it ends up giving headway to something bigger than anyone might've anticipated. . . .

Favorite Authors & Books #11/Book Review Marathon #1: Christmas Hostage

    Before I begin this book marathon, I have an important announcement! I don't know why I haven't done this already, but P.D. Atkerson, I'm putting you down in my "Favorite Authors & Books" file. 

   Before I continue:

WARNING:

When reading this book series, it is highly recommended that you proceed with caution . . . AKA read them in order.

   Alright! Let the marathon commence . . . grab your water bottles, make sure your shoes are tied (unless you're wearing slip-on sneakers like me), and let's get going. Every book review should pop up every four days until I've made it to the last book (Rebel Mind). 

   And we're off! First stop coming up: Christmas Hostage! This is actually book 1.5. See my review for the AKA Simon Lee book #1 Phantom Thief here.

Sensitive content: some mild language such as "heck" (if I'm remembering correctly)

Age recommendation: 13+

My rating: 4 stars

   This is an in-between story . . . it comes after Phantom Thief but before Guardian Eagle. It's short, but as exciting as ever! Simon Lee can't stop getting into intense situations . . . and for all of us readers, that's good. That means more books! I really enjoyed this one. He's a softie in some ways, though he'd never admit it. 

   Find it on Amazon or Goodreads!